[freegeek-startup] Questions regarding TN startup

[matteo]

On Sat, Oct 21, 2006 at 01:18:14PM -0700, John Sechrest said:
> Rather than thinking about the legal issues about the name,
> you may find that the Marketing collision between freecycle and
> computerfreecycle makes for a problem all of it's own.

I third this concern with the use of the name Computer FreeCycle. "The
Freecycle Network" currentley has cases concerning violations of their
trademark.   

> if Geek* does not working for you on one side, then for the same
> type of reason *freecycle won't work for you.
> 
> 
> 
> On 10/21/06, Shawn Campbell <obe1968 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> >Scott;
> >
> >I appreciate your concerns and comments, and no freecycle does not know
> >who we are or what we are about as of yet. However, unless someone has
> >actually trademarked computer freecycle, I think that we may be ok. We will
> >talk with an attorney about these matters.
> >
> >It is kind of like the whole patent thing in that is you change a certain
> >percentage of someone's design and market your own, it can be legal.
> >
> >Here in the deep south there was concern of directly relating the word
> >"geek" into everyday usage. Many middle age folks think that a geek might 
> >be
> >someone who is perverted. We have not filed the official business paperwork
> >as of yet, and have other names we can use if we need to. I would hope that
> >freecycle see what we are doing is technology related and does not compete
> >with what they are trying to do, instead it could coincide with what they
> >do. As a mater of fact we have actually spoken with out local chapter and
> >have done some work with them already. I am afraid that if we contact
> >freecycle ahead of time that they may attempt to block us, but again we 
> >feel
> >the name is not a close enough resemblance to what we are all trying to do,
> >and that is save the environemnt and recycle and reuse.
> >
> >Thanks again for the feedback....
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Shawn M. Campbell
> >
> >*Scott Merrill <skippy at skippy.net>* wrote:
> >
> >Shawn Campbell wrote:
> >> Well, we have finally made some great progress in the TN start-up,
> >> however a question has arisen that I please need some clarification to.
> >> We have voted on a new name, it has free geek in it, and we will still
> >> be following FOSS guidelines, but can we still use free geek in the name
> >> such as this:
> >>
> >> Computer FreeCycle ? Educating The Community. A FreeGeek Organization
> >
> >Are you folks aware of the "FreeCycle" movement?
> >http://freecycle.org/
> >You might want to contact them, if you haven't, to make sure you're not
> >runnning afoul of any trademarks they have. Your chosen name is a more
> >specific version of their name. I know that folks do dispose of PCs via
> >FreeCycle, so there does exist a real possibility of confusion.
> >
> >There already exists FreeCycle groups in TN:
> >http://freecycle.org/display.php?region=US%20Southern#Tennessee
> >
> >> For example: We would be the first TN start-up and then assist in
> >> helping start and promote other free geek organizations in the state
> >> (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tri-Cities, etc.) This covers most of
> >> the major metropolitian areas in our state and key rural areas as well.
> >
> >You've developed a pretty grand plan; but I'm curious what your Board's
> >justification is for basically recreating the structure already being
> >created by FG/PDX?
> >
> >> There were a few reason the people elected to the board were concerened
> >> with putting the free geek up front, as well as using the state name
> >> "limiting" us to other possible opportunities.
> >
> >Well, if it helps at all, I can tell you that so far in Columbus, OH,
> >the name "FreeGeek" has been pretty popular. It's easy to remember, and
> >the folks from the community with which we interact seem to enjoy it.
> >It's not seen as disparaging or self-deprecating at all.
> >
> >Good luck!
> >
> >--
> >skippy at skippy.net | http://skippy.net/
> >
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> 
> 
> -- 
> John Sechrest          .
> Corvallis Benton        .
>    Chamber Coalition      .
>       420 NW 2nd                   .
>              (541) 757-1505              . sechrest at corvallisedp.com
>                                                                      .
> 
>             .

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